Heading for the Open Road

It's been a good couple of weeks here on the Island, reconnecting with friends and getting business in order. I'm heading out on Monday, driving across the country to Ontario, and looking forward to some sunshine and heat, as it's been steadily cool and overcast here, with the occaisional exception. Soon I will be beyond an island again, and be keeping you up to date more often. I'm planning to stay on the Canadian side the entire way east, rather than going through the States. If the future is any indication of the past, it may be a good while before I drive cross- country again, and I've never done it all Canadian, so this is the good chance. I have my CAA membership, and my car goes in for a check-up tomorrow. I expect to be at the cottage by the middle of the month.

Sea level: Nanaimo

Lilac, laburnum, stargazer lilies, mock orange, iris, allium, tulip, poppy, chestnut trees, rhododendron, snowball bush, scotch broom, and sweet-scented air

I arrived this afternoon. Light filters through humid haze. It's like a golden dream. Part of me is here, the rest is still trying to catch up. Walk through the old neighbourhood, full of familiarity: dogs and cats, flowers and friends, baseball in the park, the water in the distance and the mainland mountains.

I have changed a little. Can you tell?

It's good to be back, even if only for a short while.

Austin

Rich and I got on the road out of Harbingen (about twenty miles north of the border) about 9 AM, and driving north, stopped for barbecue at Joe Cotton's at around 11:30. Now that's what I call breakfast: ribs and brisket, potato salad, beans, pickles, and white bread! We arrived in Austin late Wednesday afternoon, earlier than planned. Said good-bye to Rich, and Bungey, his adorable Wheaton Terrior, as they have headed home to Massachusetts.

The weather here has cooled down into the eighties, after last week's temperatures of over a hundred. But the humidity and the temperatures are rising again. My hair is unmanageable! It was so smooth and straight in San Miguel. There must be a product for this puffy frizzball that has appeared on my head!

I took part in a writing workshop all day yesterday, and really enjoyed it. I like what I wrote.

My sister and I are going out for breakfast this morning to a place called Maria's Tex Mex Gospel Sunday, an Austin institution. After that, we're heading out to a friend's place, Martha, for a visit, and something about gellato was said. Martha's a wonderful person and artist, and she has a cute, elderly border collie, named Isabella. Some of you may have seen her (Martha's) artwork on cards I've given you.

After that, we're off to Charles' place, Mardi's boyfriend, for barbecue brisket. This is the same brisket I raved about last time I was here (well, not the exact same brisket) . I actually had the pleasure and good fortune to meet Steve, the brisket chef (along with his men's group at his church), the other evening, and was able to pass on my long and lengthy compliments in person.

I "roll into" Cassidy airport on Wednesday afternoon, and can't wait to see everyone.

Cheers, Jacquie

Las Pozas, in the Jungle, at Xilitla

Xilitla Flowers

My last evening in San Miguel. Heading,out early tomorrow morning, estimated time of arriveal in Austin Wed night or Thursday midday. Driving up with friends to Xilitla, to see the surrealist sculpture garden at Las Pozas, and see the jungle on the other side of the divide, then carrying on to Austin.

Gotta run, the best light is happening here right now, and the cafe is closing.

Adios, Love, Jacquie

found my bank card

Hi everyone, I tracked down my bank card this morning. Turns out I left it in the bank machine, last time I used it a couple of weeks ago. This may sound difficult to do, but it happens all the time at this particular bank machine. What happens is, you complete your transaction, you get your money, then a few seconds later you get your receipt, then, about five quiet seconds after that, your card comes out. I have often seen people leave without their cards. I have even chased somebody down the street with one! ''Senora! Senora!'' I usually pay close attention, but must have been caffeine deficient that particular day, and there was nobody in line behind me, to chase me down the street! Fortunately, some honest, kind soul turned my card in to the bank, and I just had to present my passport, and they went and got it for me. Relief. But I suspected this is what had happened, because I had scoured my room, twice.


Last night after I posted, I ran into a friend as I was passing through the Jardin, tears welling up at the thought of leaving all this beauty and love and warmth behind. It has been so good for me to be here. After talking about life and magic and writing and signs, and how people end up in San Miguel, and staying, and leaving, and standing on the bridge, watching the sky turn purple down Canal Street, and an Americano, and some mocha gelato, mariachis, action in the Jardin, I had a good sleep, and after chewing everything over, I am coming back to Canada as planned. I can`t deny that it is the right thing to do. This morning I heard myself saying to myself "you must be strong!" Because it is hard to leave this place, and because going to Ontario this summer is the right thing. Can't deny it when you know it.

But I am also coming back to Mexico, soon. I can't deny that either.

Hasta luego,
Jacquie

Cinqo de Mayo

Hi everyone, I´m down to my last couple of days here in San Miguel. Early Monday morning I will be leaving to drive to Austin, via Xilitla, with by buddy Rich. Some other friends will be joining us as far as Xilitla, making leaving here a little bit more bearable. In order to manage my sadness at leaving, I have managed to create a crisis. I can´t find my bank card. Anywhere. At this point in the crisis, I fear I left it in the bank machine the last time I used it, a couple of weeks ago. Unfortunately, I didn´t discover it missing until after the bank had closed for the weekend. Planning to leave before the banks open Monday. Of course, the reason I need it is because I´m low on cash. Today my life is unmanageable. But I have hope, and as stressful as this little blip is, it´s not life-threatening. All will be well. I keep telling myself this, but I don´t buy it. I sound calm, I know, but I am jelly on the inside. I hate this. To make matters even more interesting, today I had an offer stay and house-sit for some friends here, until June or July, I just have to pay the housekeeper and the utilites. It would be practically free, and it´s a beautiful home close to the centre of town. Should I delay going home? It´s tempting. But all my travel plans are made. I have a flight booked from Austin to Nanaimo, and I´ve arranged a place to stay in Nanaimo when I get there. What do you all think? Click on the comment tab to leave me a message. Thanks for your input. I will go and search my place again. Maybe my card will turn up. You can pray for me if you want. It wouldn´t hurt. Muchas Gracias! Jacquie

MexicanLabour Day

Today is Mexican Labour Day. It is a statutory holiday for all Mexicans. This year it is also being used to protest the US administration's policies and American attitudes towards the Mexican migrant workers. Recently the Bush administration announced the construction of a wall between the US and Mexico, to stop illegal migrant workers entering the country. Additionally, in the US there is a lot of prejudice against Hispanics, that they are shifty and lazy. Many Americans also feel threatened by Mexicans taking jobs from them, even though these are jobs that those Americans wouldn't take themselves. So today, to show how much Mexicans contribute to the American economy, no Mexicans in the US are working today, or buying anything. Also nobody is buying anything here that was made in the US, or produced by an American Company, such as, for example, Coca Cola. There are also demonstrations being held. Many Americans living here side with the Mexicans. We hear the stories of how the illegal migrant workers live. They pay taxes, but receive no benefits, and are eligible for no social programs. Many of them live in poverty, with very poor living conditions. Not to mention the fear of being caught and deported, and the stress of having to live underground. America, for many Mexicans represents opportunity, and a living wage that they can send home to support their families who have no other source of income, or opportunity here. However, often migrant workers end up staying in the States, and beginning new families there. They stop sending money home, and whole families here drop into such poverty that we can't even imagine it in Canada. There was supposed to be a demonstration this morning at 11, in the main Jardin, and a march to the American Consulate on Hernandez Macias Street, and I decided to go. At first, I thought, well, it's not my issue, it's between the US and Mexico. But then I decided that wherever there is injustice, it is everybody's business, and so off I went. Apparently, the demonstration was held somewhere else, or some other time, or, and this is unimaginable: it actually started on time, and I was a few moments late arriving (part of the cultural aclimation). Ah well. I went shopping for a pair of shoes instead. Mexican shoes of course! ;> Hasta la Vista, Jacquie